Support overwhelms grieving family of slain athlete

Roy Ravana Jr, 20, was shot dead on a Monday afternoon at the corner of 48th Street and Baker Avenue in the troubled Fruitridge neighbourhood of Sacramento County. Pictures: Supplied

THE support from people including those they didn't even know has been amazing, says Roy Ravana Jr's father, Ravana Sr.

"It is not easy going up all the way to the US to get Roy's body but we were amazed at the amount of support we received, most of them we didn't know," Mr Ravana Sr said.

"The US Marist Old Boys created a school flag that covered Roy's casket and this had his name on it. It was very moving for us, and every night in the US we had people from all walks of life coming or calling to pay their respects."

Mr Ravana Sr said when they arrived in Fiji, they continued to see the impact his son had on so many lives.

"The Marist Old Boys Nadi received his body and there was a short service by the priest in the cargo area of the airport. Just before we left, they decided to sing the school song around the casket.

"When we arrived in Suva, there was a big gathering at Suva Private where his body is right now." He said he would miss his son.